Mission Queensland Firebirds (48) Adelaide Thunderbirds (46)

Media Release
Sunday 5 April 2015

Official Result & Statistics

Official Result: Mission Queensland Firebirds (48) defeated Adelaide Thunderbirds (46)

Mission Queensland Firebirds survived a strong second half rally from the Adelaide Thunderbirds before snatching a 48-46 win in Brisbane on Sunday.

With the game seemingly in hand after a dominant first half, the Firebirds had to dig deep to hold out a desperate Thunderbirds who took the game down to the wire.

The win propelled the Firebirds into second place in the Australian conference but they came close to letting the game slip after leading by as much as 11 goals during the third stanza.

Second half changes worked well for the battling Thunderbirds who were striving to keep in touch on the table after a tough first few rounds of the season. The visitors’ much-maligned shooting end of Carla Borrego and Erin Bell found their touch today with a strong and accurate outing.

Surviving on less ball than the Firebirds, the Thunderbirds enjoyed better shooting percentages but were left to rue missed opportunities in the first half. The subsequent widening margin proved a bridge too far for the Thunderbirds who produced a valiant effort to remain in the frame right to the end.

Both sides started with their reasonably settled line-ups of recent weeks, Clare McMeniman getting the nod at goal defence for the home team, and Leigh Waddington installed at centre for the Thunderbirds ahead of Madeleine Proud.

The Firebirds held the edge throughout an absorbing opening quarter. Both goal shoots were pivotal figures, the feeding to Romelda Aiken and her opposite at the other end, Borrego, benefiting from well placed and precision passes.

Aiken’s 1.96m frame proved a handy asset as did the assistance of Gretel Tippett. The rookie goal attack continued to impress with her athleticism, unorthodox basketball style and ability to finish off under the hoop.

With the home team poised to fully impose themselves, the Thunderbirds hung on in gutsy fashion, Borrego keeping the visitors in the game with her 100 percent shooting record.

Well ahead in the possession stakes, it was the Firebirds who took a 14-11 lead into the first break.

The Thunderbirds clawed back to within two goals on the resumption, the game hanging in the balance as the intensity and willingness climbed several notches. The increased niggle delivered plenty of attention from the umpires, the Firebirds continued oppressive defensive pressure taking its toll on a ragged-looking Thunderbirds.

Struggling across the court, the visitors often lost the ball before it got to their circle, allowing the Firebirds to take full advantage. Captain Laura Geitz and McMeniman were in their element in picking off turnover ball as the home side assumed control when taking a 27-19 lead into the main break.

In a bid to cut down back their opponents damage on attack, the Thunderbirds re-jigged their defence line for the second half with Eboni Beckford-Chambers moving out to goal defence and the lanky Samantha Poolman coming off the bench and into the custodian’s position. In the midcourt, Proud came into centre from the bench while Waddington went to goal attack.

Initially, it was all the Aiken-Tippett show as the home team stretched out to a seemingly decisive 11-goal advantage. The Thunderbirds hung on staunchly, Poolman prominent in gaining valuable turnovers while Borrego kept the visitors in touch.

Slowly but surely, the Thunderbirds ate into the deficit, ensuring they stayed in the contest when the Firebirds had their lead trimmed to 40-34 at the last break.

Firebirds shooting statistics:
Romelda Aiken 26/32 (81%)
Gretel Tippett 22/30 (73%)

Thunderbirds shooting statistics:
Carla Borrego 30/32 (93%)
Erin Bell 16/19 (84%)

Chemist Warehouse MVP: Clare McMeniman (Firebirds)

END

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